The World Wrestling Federation had something to prove and prove it
they did. On the heels of a uninspired WrestleMania the WWF staged their
best pay-per-view so far this year - Backlash - from the Civic Center in
Providence, Rhode Island. Excluding a unbearably boring, 18 minute-plus
submission hold extravaganza between The Undertaker and Ken Shamrock which
had the crowd chanting"End this match! End this match!", the WWF
superstars took the advice of Food Network chef Emeril Lagasse and kicked
it up a notch.

The wild main event of the evening had The Rock challenging Steve Austin
for the WWF World Heavyweight Title. Though it was a return match from
WrestleMania, everyone involved put enough imagination into it that the
Backlash main event topped last month's pay-per-view match-up.

To infuriate Austin, The Rock brought Stone Cold's Smoking Skull belt with
him to the ring after being shown dragging it on the ground as he entered
the arena earlier in the evening. Austin rushed the ring hurling the World
Title belt over the ropes. Unable to fend off the onslaught, The Rock was
battered into a corner by Austin. Special guest referee and Acting WWF
Chairman - Shane McMahon - admonished Austin backing him out of the corner.
The Rock pummeled a distracted Austin stomping him into the mat. Shane
ordered the Smoking Skull belt to be taken back to his office for safe
keeping.

Austin and The Rock exchanged stomps, punches and kicks until The Rock
reversed an Irish Whip dumping Austin over the top rope to the floor.
Getting a head of steam, The Rock gave Stone Cold a running clothesline.
The Rock whipped Austin into a steel fence, picked up a fire extinguisher
and brained him in the head. Reversing another Irish Whip The Rock flung
Austin into some lighting equipment and a steel fence on one side of the
entrance way. A wicked clothesline knocked Austin back down onto the steel
fence as he tried to stand.

Stone Cold blocked and executed a suplex on The Rock. The ex-People's
Champion hit the concrete floor with a dull thud. Deciding that one good
turn deserves another, Austin threw The Rock into the lighting apparatus
and steel fencing on the other side of the entrance way. Austin picked up a
metal equipment case hitting The Rock in the head then clotheslined him
onto the fallen fencing. Wrapping a cable around the Rock's throat Austin
choked him out. An equipment case on wheels also came into play as Austin
rammed it full-force into Rocky's skull. The Rock smacked against a steel
fence and steps prior to Austin rolling him back in the ring.

The WWF Rattlesnake stomped The Rock in a corner but Shane McMahon
interrupted the attack violently pushing Austin. The Rock charged at the
occupied WWF champ. Austin backdropped Rocky over the ropes in the nick of
time. Rolling him onto the Spanish announce team's table, Austin prepared
The Rock for some serious damage. Rocky low-blowed Austin and Rock Bottomed
him through the table. Swiping a headset from one of the Spanish announcers
The Rock badmouthed Austin. Stone Cold reached for a steel chair however
Shane McMahon grabbed it out of his hands. A clothesline from The Rock sent
Austin over the retaining wall and into the front row. Austin landed
awkwardly holding his knee.

Shane McMahon pleaded with The Rock to end the match. Ignoring the heir
apparent to the WWF throne, Rocky ripped a camera out of a ringside
cameraman's hand saying..."This is The Rock's camera!". Filming a fallen
Austin, The Rock gave him the finger and turned to shoot the crowd. When
The Rock swung the camera back Austin was standing giving him the finger
back smiling. Austin Stunned Rocky (camera and all) through the other
announce table.

Returning to the ring, Shane McMahon swung at Austin with the World Title
belt. Austin ducked and Shane beaned The Rock. Though earlier on the
telecast on Shane had promised on his Grandfather's grave that he would
count three if Austin had The Rock in a pinning predicament, Shane stopped
at two, backpedaled out of the ring to the dressing room giving Austin a
double-finger. Vince McMahon shoved past Shane with a referee in tow. Shane
confronted his father. McMahon clocked Shane with the Smoking Skull belt
and ordered the new referee to officiate the match.

Mankind leaves bloody handprints behind as he exits the boiler room.

The Rock hit Austin with the World Title belt only getting a two count.
Foot to the stomach. Belt to the head. Stunner. One. Two. Three. Austin
retains the WWF World Heavyweight Title. McMahon tossed Austin the Smoking
Skull belt and walked away.

As Austin chugged beer, Stephanie McMahon was shown being chauffeured away
in her Dad's limo. Stephanie yelled to the driver to stop the car and wait
for her father. The sliding partition separating chauffeur from passenger
rolled down revealing The Undertaker at the wheel!

"Where to, Stephanie?," cackled The Undertaker.

The next WWF pay-per-view is Over The Edge on May 23rd.

WWF Backlash Results

The Brood Vs The Ministry Of Darkness (Median, The Acolytes)

The crowd was on Median's case the entire match. Once a Godwinn, always
a Godwinn I say.

At 11:38, Viscera splashes Christian against the ring and rolls him
back in. Bradshaw catches Christian with a Lariat for the victory.

Winners: The Ministry Of Darkness (Median, The Acolytes) at 11
minutes and 38 seconds.